The study gauges dependability by counting problems experienced—broken into 198 different classifications—by the original owners (more than 52,000 in all) of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles. From that, J.D. Power calculates the total number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles to find overall dependability.

Power pointed out that Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, and Mercury all do well in dependability but their consumer perceptions lag and these brands are often avoided as a result, as the firm has found in its annual Avoider Study.

J.D. Power ranked vehicle models in 19 different segments, such as "large pickup" or "compact premium sporty car," and within those Toyota still claimed the most awards, with the Toyota Prius, Tundra, Sequoia, and Highlander all topping their respective segments.